Banana is the new flavor for Starbucks this summer

Starbucks will sell a banana version of its Frappuccino drink throughout its North American stores this summer. The flavor is similar to a line launched this week in New Zealand and Australia. There's a banana-cream Frappuccino and a banana-caramel version. (New York Post)

Comments

[James The Barista]

You know what that means? Strawberry Banana one too! This is an exciting flavor that I'm sure will sell a lot and I hope I'm not stock at the Cold Bev. Station. Thank you very much!

[Boston Starbucks Rebel]

Wow, banana. I don't know what to say except that I think we better save a little Chantico so we can make banana Chantico splits!

[Sheik]

Actually they are launching a few new beverages before this one. And it's not even called "Banana Frappuccino"

It's Banana Coconut Frappuccino. That's right--Coconut is coming back. BCFrapp is coffee based and not cream based.

The spring drinks are:

Blackberry Green Tea Frapp Blended Creme with re-formulated UBB along with reformulated matcha which is pre-sweetened (no more Melon!)

I tried the new blackberry syrup today and it was AWESOME... try it with lemonade! YUM!

Try a blackberry-raspberry-strawberry creme frapp.

The other new drink is Tazo Green Tea Latte with the new re-formulated Matcha

Ugh... coulda saved us all a headache if they just ELIMINATED that stupid matcha crap

[Sheik]

Banana is not a syrup by the way -- it's a puree just like Strawberry puree we currently have.

Blackberry is both a syrup and a sauce (sauce gets drizzled on top of the new Blackberry Green Tea Frapp. BBerry sauce comes in "logs" just like "caramel logs" already do.

I think that drink is going to suck to be honest. They shoulda just given up on matcha/green tea frapps.

Anyone want to join a "GET RID OF MATCHA AND BRING BACK CHANTICO" club?

[Sheik]

New UBB mixture ... should be starting with with the launch of Blackberry Green Tea Frapp.

The process of making the new UBB mix is 99% the same as it is now except the new mixture eliminates having to stir the mixture if it's been left in the fridge for awhile. Currently, you have to whisk it (to get rid of the crud that settles on top) before you use it. The new formula eliminates that problem.

Still annoying to have to make the mixture ... wish UBB would just come like coffee frapp mix comes.

It's not going to be called UBB anymore so I don't know why I am calling it that now. Not sure what the new name is.

Green Tea Latte is made the same way as a Chai latte except the green tea is not a concentrate(that would be just TOO easy, wouldn't it?) You have to actually scoop matcha into the paper cup and make sure the hot water dissolves the powder with a special green spoon. (Annoying, anyone?)

Like I said, re-formulated Matcha is pre-sweetened so no more melon syrup methinks.

[xcat]

we were discussing the blackberry syrup tonight, and i said i would find out here. guess i was right. and i'm glad someone knows what's going on around here.

[canadianbarista]

The new UBB is gonna be called CBB, for Creme Beverage Base. Don't know why they didn't call it that in the first place ...

[cornfrost]

I had the strawberry frapp in a bottle for the first time. OK, but nothing special. Tastes just like strawberry yoohoo.

[Britany]

I like grtl! So nay for getting rid of matcha.

On the other hand, chantico can stay away. We don't need to encourage people to get fatter.
j/k

But that drink was just ridiculous if you ask me.

[justsomebarista]

I don't mind the Green Tea Frappuccino. I don't look forward to making the green tea latte though, it's just going to slow down the bar during a rush.

[Lina]

YUM!

[Sheik]

Here's an idea for summer 2007, everyone!

Peach Puree!!!

Peaches and Creme Frappuccino! (what are we going to turn into, a smoothy bar?)

PS: Banana Caramel and Banana Mocha Frapp's have been on the "Test Menu" for at least 4 months now so I don't know why this comes as a surprise.

Those test Chantico drinks are on the test menu too. So was Maple Latte.

[http://amateureconblog.blogspot.com/]

Nice, I would also like to see a pumpkin flavor. I've had that elsewhere and it was phenomenal! ;-)

[Teresa]

Darn! I didn't get to get my free cup of Starbucks today! Will check this site out for future free cups!

[Chris]

I will be trying the banana caramel, it sounds good!
I went on the starbucks site and saw that you can add malt to your drinks? Can someone that knows about this give me some insight? Is it vanilla or chocolate? also is it added just to the cold drinks? I have only had malt in chocolate milkshakes, but it sounds like I may try it out at my next trip to starbucks.

[not a banana fan]

Not to be a hater, but must say that even the idea of a banana frappucino turns my stomach. True, I can't stand bananas in any form, but banana flavor and frappucino powder seem like an unspeakably vile combo. I wish, wish, wish that Starbucks would develop some new drinks that *aren't* loaded w/sugar and flavor powders. Please?

[imabarrista]

Well, banana certainly has appeal, but all the new drinks will make legendary service harder to provide. Will we be getting more hours for the extra work the new drinks will create?

[The Skirt]

The banana cream frappuccino is quite nice, actually. It seems to be some sort of puree, and tastes like bananas, not like synthetic flavouring. A kind barista at my local store here in NZ gave me a shot to smell and taste, and the next time I was there I got one. It costs quite a bit more than the other flavours - I guess because of the "realness" of the banana flavouring?

[morningjolt]

I kind of like the idea of a banana carmel latte. I tried one at a rival coffee company and believe it or not it was great! they made it not too syrupy and not too sweet. (I know it sounds gross, but its something you just have to try) I agree with the previous posts of having too much sugar and sweet. when i want a latte with flavor I always have to ask for 1/2 the amount of syrup because it is just too overpowering full stop.

[TG]

Chris, re: malt -- guess you weren't buying frappuccinos back in 2003 when they intro'd the mocha malt frappuccino? They discontinued it the following year but enough people complained that they relented and restocked the malt powder. It's not on the menu but theoretically can be added to any drink, hot or cold, though most people get it added to frappuccinos which mimic a milkshake.

[Boston Starbucks Rebel]

Banana frappucino mixed with mocha should taste delicious!

[imabarrista]

Look at your boards! We offer malt on our menu boards!

"Banana has appeal"

That is funny!

[imabarrista]

Thanks, anonymous!
I have a bunch of them.

[MochaMomma]

I think we are still going to have melon syrup....we got some in this week.....and....mmmmm...blackberry. Can't wait for that.

Wait, wait, wait. There are people still getting melon syrup and green tea match. It is unavailable in my area. How are you ordering it?

Malt shouldn't be added to a hot drink. It says so in the manual.

[James the Barista]

I read the spring workbook on what to do with the green latte and it sounds like another time consuming and counter-wasteful product but I just want people to try to drink the sludge of matcha at the bottom.

[Beth]

Banana and caramel sounds delicious, but I'm not looking forward to the new Green Tea Latte with the nasty matcha powder. Have you guys read the Spring 2 book yet? Melon syrup and matcha, then fill halfway with hot water, stir with special spoon, milk, and then foam. Time consuming and just plain disgusting.

[Matt]

I had the Banana Caramel Frapp and the Bananas and Creme Frapp in Siesta Key, Florida back in October '05. That area was the trial market, and let me tell you. The stuff is AWESOME! I even sent starbucks mail telling them they needed to put it out everywhere. It was just so good!

Whether you hate Banana or not, trust me, you'll love this!

[Sheik]

For partners who already have blackberry syrup at their stores... DO NOT use blackberry syrup in a hot latte..... DO NOT. Something in the syrup (possibly citric acid?) reacts with hot milk and ... well.. it curdles.

I'm confused because BB syrup is going to be used in the new CBB which has dairy... or is their something in the new CBB mix that doesn't react?

Ugh, the science of milk!

[FRIENDLY]

Last August, I was on a road trip in Central/Northern California, and I found a Starbucks that was test marketing a Caramel Banana and a Mocha Banana Frappucino. My friend and I got one of each, and the Caramel was way better.

[Hirayuki]

I had some sort of hot Creamsicle type of drink at a local independent coffeeshop several years ago, and it curdled like a mother. I was actually spooning curds out into an ashtray. Now, orange syrup I understand (though the Valencia syrup seems to be fine), but I'm surprised BB syrup would curdle milk. Gross, and thanks for the heads-up--this BB fan now knows to keep it out of hot milk.

[liz]

I drank the green tea fraps last summer sometimes ... what the heck is matcha? I keep seeing people mention it ...

I'm excited about the banana, by the way.

[Hirayuki]

Matcha is Japanese for "green tea"--at least, the powdered tea that's the inspiration for the flavor in the downright heavenly green tea Frappuccinos. Now that they're sold year-round in Japan, I had to stop myself from getting one every day when in Tokyo this past January. (Though you can get them in smaller sizes.)

many stores in canada also sold them year round as well...

i think it depended on how well they sold throughout last summer. we kept them year round, even though we sold maybe 5 this winter...

[KK]

Just recieved the spring phase II info today at the store--the melon syrup is back--used only in the latte's..not in the fraps. The blackberry syrup and drizzle are awesome--can really concoct some great blended drinks!!

[NJBaristaChick]

My store just got the new blackberry syrups today...The Blackberry Green Tea frap is OKAY...in small doses. We all agreed that the sauce tastes like those fruit snacks that we used to get when we were kids. The latte though is like drinking a hot green tea frap! YUCK! Also we started to feel kind of nauseous after having too much of the syrup/sauce.

[Seattlegirl]

Pre sweetened matcha? Bad news for all our green tea frap junkies, at least 3/4ths of them get them unsweetened.

[Sheik]

I'm not sure if this is the proper thread to bring this up but better here than nowhere...

What do all you barista's do if someone wants one pump of vanilla? Charge or not to charge...? I charge, but not everyone in my store does which, of course, brings lots of customers to say "Well Joe Schmoe doesn't charge me in the afternoons!"

We even have this one chick who wants a half a pump of toffee nut. I still say charge.

[floridabarista]

sheik- charge 'em, absolutely! if what you're charging them is on the menu, they have *no right* to complain. if someone says "well so-and-so doesn't charge me..," tell them "well they're charging you incorrectly. i'll have to talk with them." and DO talk with them! please! it's not fair when your coworkers aren't doing their job correctly and then when you do, you have to put up with crap from customers who can't keep their mouths shut.

-a barista who is proud to not work at starbucks, and who is weirded out by this banana crap.

[hvcoffeewilltrvl]

In the Beverage Resource Manual, behind the Other Stations tab, the guidelines for when to charge for syrups is outlined. (pages 2.9-2.10)
Spread the word! The more we all go by the standards the easier it will be to provide legendary service...and not make our customers confused or upset by inconsistencies between different partners and/or stores.

[416barista]

Blackberry - not bad....
Tried a blackberry cream frap....no good, but blackberry black tea was good (so was San Peligrino with the suryp).

Melon is back....yuck!!! I hate the Green Tea Frap and the latte sounds just as bad (and a waste of time!!).

Banana?? sounds interesting, but I haven't heard of it yet. Is it coming to Canada??

[James the Barista]

Blackberry is Horrible, trust me and Matcha should of never been made...ever. I will not have fun making those...or remaking drinks.

[Sheik]

Well I looked in the Bev Resource Manual today and you were all right: charge for a Vanilla latte even though they want one pump or even a half a pump.

However, the book also says that if the customer complains and says that other stores don't charge them... we are supposed to ... you guessed it... "Just Say Yes" and not charge them.

So theoretically, Annoying Customer can just keep saying every single time that other stores don't charge them and they will keep not getting charged. Give me a break!

The things people will do to save 30 cents...

[Megs]

We just got the new blackberry syrup and recipes for new drinks as well! The frap. is not too bad but ANYTHING haveing to do with the melon syrup sucks!! Why in the world do they want us to make drinks out of them??? I tried the green tea latte today and it was absolutely disgusting and i actually like most of the products we sell.... Now i am supposed to be promoting a beverage that i think is horrible???

[Hirayuki]

I got a GT Frap without any syrup today while my mom tried one with the blackberry syrup. (This particular store also offered melon or Valencia syrup for this drink.) The consensus was that plain was much better than with BB syrup, but that melon was probably better than plain. I have to remember how we got them last year--was it double melon...?

We were told that the GT latte would be coming out April 1 or 2 or so, and after we expressed some interest in the drink, the clerk brought us two lattes to sample. (This one store is great like that.) We both liked them very much, although I found the melon flavor to be a bit strong. Then again, we both eat a lot of GT-flavored snack foods and hard candy, so we're used to the darker matcha taste.

[daymee]

Banana Fruit Sauce is good. It's very popular here in Sydney, where they are our promotional beverages.
You must use different green tea powder, ours is already sweetened. Did you know that green tea frappuccino started in taiwan?

[BARISTA1]

While I guess you could do a Banana Caramel - the real surprise is that it's Banana Coconut. Yes, the coconut is coming back. We just got our manager's promo stuff today and it's coconut all around.

And the blackberry works fine with the white mocha in a hot drink, as long as you mix the two first.

[justsomebarista]

Are the flakes coming back as well as the syrup? Is the Return of the MCF near?